Here is the press release:

Zidane/Materazzi disciplinary proceedings: suspensions, fines, community service and regret

Zurich, 20 July 2006 – Suspensions and fines were the sanctions pronounced by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee at its meeting today (Thursday, 20 July 2006) as part of the disciplinary proceedings opened against Zinedine Zidane (France) and Marco Materazzi (Italy) after their clash during the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ final in Berlin on 9 July. Zinedine Zidane has also agreed to do community service work with children and youngsters. Meeting under the chairmanship of Marcel Mathier (Switzerland), the five-man FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposed a three-match ban and a fine of CHF 7,500 on Zinedine Zidane on account of his head-butt to Materazzi’s chest. As Zidane has now retired from international football, the committee took note of Zidane’s pledge to do three days of community service work with children and youngsters as part of FIFA’s humanitarian activities. Materazzi was suspended for two official matches of the Italian national team and fined the sum of CHF 5,000 for repeatedly provoking Zidane.

FIFA gave both players the right to be heard in accordance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The hearing with Marco Materazzi was held at FIFA headquarters on 14 July, with Zinedine Zidane questioned during today’s meeting. **********In their statements, *****both players stressed***** that Materazzi’s comments had been defamatory *****but not of a racist nature.********** During the course of their hearings, both players also apologised to FIFA for their inappropriate behaviour and expressed their regret at the incident.

Referee Horacio Elizondo (Argentina) sent Zidane off in the 110th minute of the World Cup final after his clash with Materazzi. The incident had been directly observed from his position at the pitchside without the use of a monitor by the fourth official, Luis Medina Cantalejo (ESP), who informed the referee and his assistants through the communications system. Both match officials were also invited to attend the meeting. According to the regulations, the fourth official must inform the referee if any acts of violent conduct are committed out of sight of the referee and his assistants.

Further information from: FIFA Media Department media@fifa.org

I would have made him place the metal on Materazzi at the end of the game.

http://www.difendiamomaterazzi.it/

Its for materazzi and the injustice he recieved

This act did not cost them the world cup. Trezeguet would have still been one of the shooters if Zidane were still in the game. Either give Italy and Buffon’s fantastic save to keep it level late in overtime credit, or fault Barthez for his inability to stop any of the pks (although his play was matched by an equally unimpressive pk performance by Buffon, who chose the wrong direction on every kick and was only saved by Trezeguet).

Furthermore, you can argue about what is and isn’t “fact” and the mystery around what Materazzi actually said, but in the end we saw them talking before the incident, and the racism line, aside from specifics, is entirely plausible and likely. Whether that’s provable is a different issue, but it’s naive to believe his comments were anything short of racist. Materazzi’s actions are the ones to be condemned because they are indicative of a lack of character, Zidane’s merely a natural human weakness – pride. Plus, how can you say that he let his family down as a result of this incident when he was protecting their honor?

Beyond the incident, Zidane had a remarkable career, clearly worthy of being remembered along with Pele and Beckenbauer and other greats of the game. We’ve loved Zidane for his passion and intensity for the game, don’t fault him for feeling the same passion for his heritage and family. Yes, he made a mistake and he had the bad luck to have 2 billion people watching him to judge him for it, but who hasn’t made a mistake.

Remember him for this:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6307404507766060126&q=zidane

Materazzi and, I suspect, his teammates are guilty of cheating not only Zidane and the French side, but the entire football-loving viewers.

So let me take a little risk and put in my own personal interpretation of what happened.
Just before the Materazzi headbutt, Zizou orchestrated a wonderful play which ended with his sensational and powerful header. As we all saw, Buffon on the reflect and with the tips of the fingers of one hand denied Zidane’s goal. What frustation! In my mind, Zidane saw that goal as his God given right denied. A denial that he could not accept and when Materazzi insulted him emphasizing that denial it pushed him over the top. Right fist clenched, legs taut he lashed out in an astonishing moment of violence which I am sure he now regrets. Who of us does not become petulant at the perceived right denied followed by an insult? Sad but true!